Former inspector general of police Kayode Egbetokun says he and acting IGP Tunji Disu were mentees of then-Governor Bola Tinubu.

Mr Tinubu, now the president, appointed Mr Disu as the acting IG pending confirmation by the Senate.

Mr Egbetokun, who spoke on Wednesday shortly after the swearing-in and decoration of Mr Disu as the acting IGP, said, “I remember learning something. I learned many things from him, from Mr President, but there is something I remember he said when he was governor in Lagos. He once said that a good leader should have a succession plan and must invest in his likely successors.

“I invested in likely successors in the Nigeria Police Force, and I’m happy that one of those that I’ve invested in has been found most suitable for the job and has been decorated today.

“I am particularly excited that I am handing over today to someone with whom I share a unique history. We both had the real privilege of benefiting from the mentorship of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, dating back to his days as governor of Lagos state.

Speaking further, Mr Egbetokun said the leadership change would ensure stability within the police, stressing that continuity in vision and strategy remains critical to ongoing reforms and improved security operations nationwide.

Mr Egbetokun also called on the file and rank of the police to extend full cooperation to the new IGP to sustain the progress recorded in crime fighting, intelligence gathering and community policing.

“My advice to the newly appointed acting inspector general of police is that he should continue to show commitment to the things that we have been doing together. He has been part of my administration from the beginning.

“When Mr President gave the presidential order to withdraw police from VIP protection, it was Tunji Dizu I called upon to ensure that the presidential order was given full compliance, and he did it so well….”